Compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR kinase

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors. 
     The compounds of this invention have formula I: 
                         
wherein the variables are as defined herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/557,795 filed on Nov. 9, 2011; and U.S. provisional application No. 61/620,710 filed on Apr. 5, 2012; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Nov. 7, 2012, is named 11-151US_Seq.txt and is 1 kilobyte in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

ATR (“ATM and Rad3 related”) kinase is a protein kinase involved in cellular responses to DNA damage. ATR kinase acts with ATM (“ataxia telangiectasia mutated”) kinase and many other proteins to regulate a cell's response to DNA damage, commonly referred to as the DNA Damage Response (“DDR”). The DDR stimulates DNA repair, promotes survival and stalls cell cycle progression by activating cell cycle checkpoints, which provide time for repair. Without the DDR, cells are much more sensitive to DNA damage and readily die from DNA lesions induced by endogenous cellular processes such as DNA replication or exogenous DNA damaging agents commonly used in cancer therapy.

Healthy cells can rely on a host of different proteins for DNA repair including the DDR kinase ATR. In some cases these proteins can compensate for one another by activating functionally redundant DNA repair processes. On the contrary, many cancer cells harbour defects in some of their DNA repair processes, such as ATM signaling, and therefore display a greater reliance on their remaining intact DNA repair proteins which include ATR.

In addition, many cancer cells express activated oncogenes or lack key tumour suppressors, and this can make these cancer cells prone to dysregulated phases of DNA replication which in turn cause DNA damage. ATR has been implicated as a critical component of the DDR in response to disrupted DNA replication. As a result, these cancer cells are more dependent on ATR activity for survival than healthy cells. Accordingly, ATR inhibitors may be useful for cancer treatment, either used alone or in combination with DNA damaging agents, because they shut down a DNA repair mechanism that is more important for cellular survival in many cancer cells than in healthy normal cells.

In fact, disruption of ATR function (e.g. by gene deletion) has been shown to promote cancer cell death both in the absence and presence of DNA damaging agents. This suggests that ATR inhibitors may be effective both as single agents and as potent sensitizers to radiotherapy or genotoxic chemotherapy.

ATR peptide can be expressed and isolated using a variety of methods known in the literature (see e.g., Ünsal-Kaçmaz et al, PNAS 99: 10, pp 6673-6678, May 14, 2002; see also Kumagai et al. Cell 124, pp 943-955, Mar. 10, 2006; Unsal-Kacmaz et al. Molecular and Cellular Biology, February 2004, p 1292-1300; and Hall-Jackson et al. Oncogene 1999, 18, 6707-6713).

For all of these reasons, there is a need for the development of potent and selective ATR inhibitors for the treatment of cancer, either as single agents or as combination therapies with radiotherapy or genotoxic chemotherapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.

The compounds of the invention are very potent ATR inhibitors. These compounds have an unexpected ability to treat cancer as single agents. These compounds also show surprising synergy with other cancer agents, such as cisplatin and gemcitabine, in combination therapies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein

-   Ring A is pyrazolyl or oxazolyl; -   Ring B is a 5-6 membered monocyclic aryl or heteroaryl ring, wherein     said heteroaryl ring has 1 heteroatom selected from the group     consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; -   J is halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄alkoxy; -   J¹ is —(X¹)_(u)—Y; -   X¹ is C₁₋₆alkyl wherein 0-2 methylene units of said C₁₋₆alkyl are     replaced with NH, O, or S; X¹ is optionally substituted with 1-2     occurrences of C₁₋₃alkyl or halo; -   Y is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, or a 3-6 membered saturated or partially     unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from the     group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; wherein the     heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with 1 occurrence of halo or     C₁₋₃alkyl. -   or J and J¹ join together to form a 5-7 heterocyclyl having 1-2     heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen,     and sulfur; wherein the heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with     1 occurrence of halo or C₁₋₃alkyl; -   Q is a 5-6 membered monocyclic aromatic ring containing 0-4     heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur;     or an 8-10 membered bicyclic aromatic ring containing 0-6     heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; -   L is a C₁₋₄alkyl chain wherein up to two methylene units of the     alkyl chain are optionally replaced with O, NR⁶, S, —C(O)—, —SO—, or     —SO₂—; -   R¹ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl; -   R² is H, C₁-C₆alkyl, —(C₂-C₆alkyl)-Z or a 4-8 membered cyclic ring     containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms; wherein said ring is bonded via a     carbon atom and is optionally substituted with one occurrence of     J^(Z); -   or R¹ and R², taken together with the atom to which they are bound,     form a 4-8 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms     selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; wherein said heterocyclic     ring is optionally substituted with one occurrence of J^(Z1); -   J^(Z1) is halo, CN, C₁-C₈aliphatic, —(X²)_(t)—CN, or —(X³)_(r)—Z;     wherein said up to two methylene units of said C₁-C₈aliphatic can be     optionally replaced with O, NR, S, P(O), C(O), S(O), or S(O)₂;     wherein said C₁-C₈aliphatic is optionally substituted with halo, CN,     or NO₂; -   R is H or C₁₋₆alkyl; -   each X² and X³ is C₁-C₄alkyl; -   Z is —NR³R⁴; -   R³ is H or C₁-C₂alkyl; -   R⁴ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl; -   or R³ and R⁴, taken together with the atom to which they are bound,     form a 4-8 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms     selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; wherein said ring is     optionally substituted with one occurrence of J^(Z); -   R⁶ is H, or C₁-C₆alkyl; -   J^(Z) is independently NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄aliphatic)₂,     halogen, C₁₋₄aliphatic, OH, O(C₁₋₄aliphatic), NO₂, CN, CO₂H,     CO(C₁₋₄aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₄aliphatic), O(haloC₁₋₄aliphatic), or     haloC₁₋₄aliphatic; -   J² is halo; CN; a 5-6 membered aromatic or nonaromatic monocyclic     ring having 0-3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or     sulfur; or a C₁₋₁₀aliphatic group wherein up to 2 methylene units     are optionally replaced with O, NR″, C(O), S, S(O), or S(O)₂;     wherein said C₁₋₁₀aliphatic group is optionally substituted with 1-3     halo or CN; and said monocyclic ring is optionally substituted with     1-3 occurences of halo; CN; a C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; a 3-7 membered     heterocyclyl containing 0-2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen,     nitrogen, or sulfur; or a C₁₋₄alkyl wherein up to one methylene unit     of the alkyl chain is optionally replaced with O, NR″, or S; and     wherein said C₁₋₄alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-3 halo; -   each p, r, t, u, m, and n is independently 0 or 1; -   q is 0, 1, or 2; -   R″ is H, C₁₋₄alkyl, or is absent; wherein said C₁₋₄alkyl is     optionally substituted with 1-4 halo.

In some embodiments, Ring A is

In other embodiments, Ring A is

According to one aspect of the invention, Q is phenyl. In some embodiments, p is 0; q is 1; and J² is a C₁₋₄aliphatic group wherein one methylene unit is replaced with S(O)₂. In other embodiments, J² is SO₂CH(CH₃)₂.

According to another aspect of the invention, Ring B is phenyl. In some embodiments, m is 0 and n is 1. In other embodiments, n and m are both 0.

Another embodiment provides a compound selected from the following:

In some embodiments, the variables are as depicted in the compounds of the disclosure including compounds in the table(s) above.

Compounds of this invention include those described generally herein, and are further illustrated by the classes, subclasses, and species disclosed herein. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply unless otherwise indicated. For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed. Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry are described in “Organic Chemistry”, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito: 1999, and “March's Advanced Organic Chemistry”, 5^(th) Ed., Ed.: Smith, M. B. and March, J., John Wiley & Sons, New York: 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As described herein, a specified number range of atoms includes any integer therein. For example, a group having from 1-4 atoms could have 1, 2, 3, or 4 atoms.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, such as are illustrated generally herein, or as exemplified by particular classes, subclasses, and species of the invention. It will be appreciated that the phrase “optionally substituted” is used interchangeably with the phrase “substituted or unsubstituted.” In general, the term “substituted”, whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, refers to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an optionally substituted group may have a substituent at each substitutable position of the group, and when more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemically feasible compounds.

Unless otherwise indicated, a substituent connected by a bond drawn from the center of a ring means that the substituent can be bonded to any position in the ring. In example i below, for instance, J¹ can be bonded to any position on the pyridyl ring. For bicyclic rings, a bond drawn through both rings indicates that the substituent can be bonded from any position of the bicyclic ring. In example ii below, for instance, J¹ can be bonded to the 5-membered ring (on the nitrogen atom, for instance), and to the 6-membered ring.

The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds that are not substantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for their production, detection, recovery, purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a stable compound or chemically feasible compound is one that is not substantially altered when kept at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group”, as used herein, means a straight-chain (i.e., unbranched), branched, or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation that has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule.

Unless otherwise specified, aliphatic groups contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In some embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms, and in yet other embodiments aliphatic groups contain 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Aliphatic groups may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, sec-butyl, vinyl, n-butenyl, ethynyl, and tert-butyl. Aliphatic groups may also be cyclic, or have a combination of linear or branched and cyclic groups. Examples of such types of aliphatic groups include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, —CH₂-cyclopropyl, CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)-cyclohexyl.

The term “cycloaliphatic” (or “carbocycle” or “carbocyclyl”) refers to a monocyclic C₃-C₈ hydrocarbon or bicyclic C₈-C₁₂ hydrocarbon that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic, that has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule wherein any individual ring in said bicyclic ring system has 3-7 members. Examples of cycloaliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl groups. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, cyclohexyl, cyclopropenyl, and cyclobutyl.

The term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” as used herein means non-aromatic, monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring systems in which one or more ring members are an independently selected heteroatom. In some embodiments, the “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” group has three to fourteen ring members in which one or more ring members is a heteroatom independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus, and each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members.

Examples of heterocycles include, but are not limited to, 3-1H-benzimidazol-2-one, 3-(1-alkyl)-benzimidazol-2-one, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 2-morpholino, 3-morpholino, 4-morpholino, 2-thiomorpholino, 3-thiomorpholino, 4-thiomorpholino, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 2-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 3-tetrahydropiperazinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 1-pyrazolinyl, 3-pyrazolinyl, 4-pyrazolinyl, 5-pyrazolinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl, 2-thiazolidinyl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 4-thiazolidinyl, 1-imidazolidinyl, 2-imidazolidinyl, 4-imidazolidinyl, 5-imidazolidinyl, indolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, benzothiolane, benzodithiane, and 1,3-dihydro-imidazol-2-one.

Cyclic groups, (e.g. cycloaliphatic and heterocycles), can be linearly fused, bridged, or spirocyclic.

The term “heteroatom” means one or more of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, or silicon (including, any oxidized form of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or silicon; the quaternized form of any basic nitrogen or; a substitutable nitrogen of a heterocyclic ring, for example N (as in 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR⁺ (as in N-substituted pyrrolidinyl)).

The term “unsaturated”, as used herein, means that a moiety has one or more units of unsaturation. As would be known by one of skill in the art, unsaturated groups can be partially unsaturated or fully unsaturated. Examples of partially unsaturated groups include, but are not limited to, butene, cyclohexene, and tetrahydropyridine. Fully unsaturated groups can be aromatic, anti-aromatic, or non-aromatic. Examples of fully unsaturated groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, cyclooctatetraene, pyridyl, thienyl, and 1-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one.

The term “alkoxy”, or “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached through an oxygen (“alkoxy”) or sulfur (“thioalkyl”) atom.

The terms “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl”, “haloaliphatic”, and “haloalkoxy” mean alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy, as the case may be, substituted with one or more halogen atoms. This term includes perfluorinated alkyl groups, such as —CF₃ and —CF₂CF₃.

The terms “halogen”, “halo”, and “hal” mean F, Cl, Br, or I.

The term “aryl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “aryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “aryl ring”.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic, at least one ring in the system contains one or more heteroatoms, and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “heteroaryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “heteroaryl ring” or the term “heteroaromatic”. Examples of heteroaryl rings include, but are not limited to, 2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, N-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, N-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl (e.g., 3-pyridazinyl), 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, tetrazolyl (e.g., 5-tetrazolyl), triazolyl (e.g., 2-triazolyl and 5-triazolyl), 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, indolyl (e.g., 2-indolyl), pyrazolyl (e.g., 2-pyrazolyl), isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, purinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, quinolinyl (e.g., 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 4-quinolinyl), and isoquinolinyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolinyl, 3-isoquinolinyl, or 4-isoquinolinyl).

It shall be understood that the term “heteroaryl” includes certain types of heteroaryl rings that exist in equilibrium between two different forms. More specifically, for example, species such hydropyridine and pyridinone (and likewise hydroxypyrimidine and pyrimidinone) are meant to be encompassed within the definition of “heteroaryl.”

The term “protecting group” and “protective group” as used herein, are interchangeable and refer to an agent used to temporarily block one or more desired functional groups in a compound with multiple reactive sites. In certain embodiments, a protecting group has one or more, or preferably all, of the following characteristics: a) is added selectively to a functional group in good yield to give a protected substrate that is b) stable to reactions occurring at one or more of the other reactive sites; and c) is selectively removable in good yield by reagents that do not attack the regenerated, deprotected functional group. As would be understood by one skilled in the art, in some cases, the reagents do not attack other reactive groups in the compound. In other cases, the reagents may also react with other reactive groups in the compound. Examples of protecting groups are detailed in Greene, T. W., Wuts, P. G in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York: 1999 (and other editions of the book), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The term “nitrogen protecting group”, as used herein, refers to an agent used to temporarily block one or more desired nitrogen reactive sites in a multifunctional compound. Preferred nitrogen protecting groups also possess the characteristics exemplified for a protecting group above, and certain exemplary nitrogen protecting groups are also detailed in Chapter 7 in Greene, T. W., Wuts, P. G in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York: 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, a methylene unit of an alkyl or aliphatic chain is optionally replaced with another atom or group. Examples of such atoms or groups include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, —C(O)—, —C(═N—CN)—, —C(═NR)—, —C(═NOR)—, —SO—, and —SO₂—. These atoms or groups can be combined to form larger groups. Examples of such larger groups include, but are not limited to, —OC(O)—, —C(O)CO—, —CO₂—, —C(O)NR—, —C(═N—CN), —NRCO—, —NRC(O)O—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —NRC(O)NR—, —OC(O)NR—, and —NRSO₂NR—, wherein R is, for example, H or C₁₋₆aliphatic. It should be understood that these groups can be bonded to the methylene units of the aliphatic chain via single, double, or triple bonds. An example of an optional replacement (nitrogen atom in this case) that is bonded to the aliphatic chain via a double bond would be —CH₂CH═N—CH₃. In some cases, especially on the terminal end, an optional replacement can be bonded to the aliphatic group via a triple bond. One example of this would be CH₂CH₂CH₂C≡N. It should be understood that in this situation, the terminal nitrogen is not bonded to another atom.

It should also be understood that, the term “methylene unit” can also refer to branched or substituted methylene units. For example, in an isopropyl moiety [—CH(CH₃)₂], a nitrogen atom (e.g. NR) replacing the first recited “methylene unit” would result in dimethylamine [—N(CH₃)₂]. In instances such as these, one of skill in the art would understand that the nitrogen atom will not have any additional atoms bonded to it, and the “R” from “NR” would be absent in this case.

Unless otherwise indicated, the optional replacements form a chemically stable compound. Optional replacements can occur both within the chain and/or at either end of the chain; i.e. both at the point of attachment and/or also at the terminal end. Two optional replacements can also be adjacent to each other within a chain so long as it results in a chemically stable compound. For example, a C₃ aliphatic can be optionally replaced by 2 nitrogen atoms to form —C—N≡N. The optional replacements can also completely replace all of the carbon atoms in a chain. For example, a C₃ aliphatic can be optionally replaced by —NR—, —C(O)—, and —NR— to form —NRC(O)NR— (a urea).

Unless otherwise indicated, if the replacement occurs at the terminal end, the replacement atom is bound to a hydrogen atom on the terminal end. For example, if a methylene unit of —CH₂CH₂CH₃ were optionally replaced with —O—, the resulting compound could be —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OCH₃, or —CH₂CH₂OH. It should be understood that if the terminal atom does not contain any free valence electrons, then a hydrogen atom is not required at the terminal end (e.g., —CH₂CH₂CH═O or —CH₂CH₂C≡N).

Unless otherwise indicated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, geometric, conformational, and rotational) forms of the structure. For example, the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center, (Z) and (E) double bond isomers, and (Z) and (E) conformational isomers are included in this invention. As would be understood to one skilled in the art, a substituent can freely rotate around any rotatable bonds. For example, a substituent drawn as

also represents

Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, geometric, conformational, and rotational mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scope of the invention.

Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the present structures except for the replacement of hydrogen by deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a ¹³C- or ¹⁴C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools or probes in biological assays.

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Salts

The compounds of this invention can exist in free form for treatment, or where appropriate, as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, a compound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof. As used herein, the term “inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof” means that a metabolite or residue thereof is also an inhibitor of the ATR protein kinase.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge et al., describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19, incorporated herein by reference. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from suitable inorganic and organic acids and bases. These salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds. Acid addition salts can be prepared by 1) reacting the purified compound in its free-based form with a suitable organic or inorganic acid and 2) isolating the salt thus formed.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, gluconate, glycolate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, salicylate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like.

Base addition salts can be prepared by 1) reacting the purified compound in its acid form with a suitable organic or inorganic base and 2) isolating the salt thus formed. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g., sodium, lithium, and potassium), alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium and calcium), ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. This invention also envisions the quaternization of any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed herein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products may be obtained by such quaternization.

Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, loweralkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate. Other acids and bases, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used:

-   DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide -   ATP adenosine triphosphate -   ¹HNMR proton nuclear magnetic resonance -   HPLC high performance liquid chromatography -   LCMS liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry -   TLC thin layer chromatography -   Rt retention time     Compound Uses

One aspect of this invention provides compounds that are inhibitors of ATR kinase, and thus are useful for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where ATR is implicated in the disease, condition, or disorder.

Another aspect of this invention provides compounds that are useful for the treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation. Such diseases include, a proliferative or hyperproliferative disease. Examples of proliferative and hyperproliferative diseases include, without limitation, cancer and myeloproliferative disorders.

In some embodiments, said compounds are selected from the group consisting of a compound of formula I. The term “cancer” includes, but is not limited to the following cancers. Oral: buccal cavity, lip, tongue, mouth, pharynx; Cardiac: sarcoma (angiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma), myxoma, rhabdomyoma, fibroma, lipoma and teratoma; Lung: bronchogenic carcinoma (squamous cell or epidermoid, undifferentiated small cell, undifferentiated large cell, adenocarcinoma), alveolar (bronchiolar) carcinoma, bronchial adenoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, chondromatous hamartoma, mesothelioma; Gastrointestinal: esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma, larynx, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma), stomach (carcinoma, lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma), pancreas (ductal adenocarcinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid tumors, vipoma), small bowel or small intestines (adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, Karposi's sarcoma, leiomyoma, hemangioma, lipoma, neurofibroma, fibroma), large bowel or large intestines (adenocarcinoma, tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, hamartoma, leiomyoma), colon, colon-rectum, colorectal; rectum, Genitourinary tract: kidney (adenocarcinoma, Wilm's tumor [nephroblastoma], lymphoma, leukemia), bladder and urethra (squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma), prostate (adenocarcinoma, sarcoma), testis (seminoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, sarcoma, interstitial cell carcinoma, fibroma, fibroadenoma, adenomatoid tumors, lipoma); Liver: hepatoma (hepatocellular carcinoma), cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, angiosarcoma, hepatocellular adenoma, hemangioma, biliary passages; Bone: osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma), fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, malignant lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma), multiple myeloma, malignant giant cell tumor chordoma, osteochronfroma (osteocartilaginous exostoses), benign chondroma, chondroblastoma, chondromyxofibroma, osteoid osteoma and giant cell tumors; Nervous system: skull (osteoma, hemangioma, granuloma, xanthoma, osteitis deformans), meninges (meningioma, meningiosarcoma, gliomatosis), brain (astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, glioma, ependymoma, germinoma [pinealoma], glioblastoma multiform, oligodendroglioma, schwannoma, retinoblastoma, congenital tumors), spinal cord neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, sarcoma); Gynecological: uterus (endometrial carcinoma), cervix (cervical carcinoma, pre-tumor cervical dysplasia), ovaries (ovarian carcinoma [serous cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, unclassified carcinoma], granulosa-thecal cell tumors, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, dysgerminoma, malignant teratoma), vulva (squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma), vagina (clear cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, botryoid sarcoma (embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma), fallopian tubes (carcinoma), breast; Hematologic: blood (myeloid leukemia [acute and chronic], acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myeloproliferative diseases, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [malignant lymphoma] hairy cell; lymphoid disorders; Skin: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Karposi's sarcoma, keratoacanthoma, moles dysplastic nevi, lipoma, angioma, dermatofibroma, keloids, psoriasis, Thyroid gland: papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, undifferentiated thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B, familial medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma; and Adrenal glands: neuroblastoma.

In some embodiments, the cancer is selected from a cancer of the lung or the pancreas. In other embodiments, the cancer is selected from lung cancer, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, or brain cancer. In yet other embodiments, the cancer is selected from non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, or ovarian cancer.

Thus, the term “cancerous cell” as provided herein, includes a cell afflicted by any one of the above-identified conditions. In some embodiments, the cancer is selected from colorectal, thyroid, or breast cancer.

The term “myeloproliferative disorders”, includes disorders such as polycythemia vera, thrombocythemia, myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, systemic mast cell disease, and hematopoietic disorders, in particular, acute-myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic-myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute-promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Derivatives or Prodrugs

In addition to the compounds of this invention, pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives or prodrugs of the compounds of this invention may also be employed in compositions to treat or prevent the herein identified disorders.

The compounds of this invention can also exist as pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative” is an adduct or derivative which, upon administration to a patient in need, is capable of providing, directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite or residue thereof. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives include, but are not limited to, esters and salts of such esters.

A “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or prodrug” means any pharmaceutically acceptable ester, salt of an ester or other derivative or salt thereof of a compound, of this invention which, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, a compound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof. Particularly favoured derivatives or prodrugs are those that increase the bioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compounds are administered to a patient (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood) or which enhance delivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., the brain or lymphatic system) relative to the parent species.

Pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs of the compounds of this invention include, without limitation, esters, amino acid esters, phosphate esters, metal salts and sulfonate esters.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The present invention also provides compounds and compositions that are useful as inhibitors of ATR kinase.

One aspect of this invention provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions that comprise any of the compounds as described herein, and optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.

The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as any conventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.

Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, or potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, wool fat, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil; sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such a propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator.

Combination Therapies

Another aspect of this invention is directed towards a method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administration of a compound of this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an additional therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, said method comprises the sequential or co-administration of the compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the additional therapeutic agent.

In some embodiments, said additional therapeutic agent is an anti-cancer agent. In other embodiments, said additional therapeutic agent is a DNA-damaging agent. In yet other embodiments, said additional therapeutic agent is selected from radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other agents typically used in combination with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, such as radiosensitizers and chemosensitizers. In yet other embodiments, said additional therapeutic agent is ionizing radiation.

As would be known by one of skill in the art, radiosensitizers are agents that can be used in combination with radiation therapy. Radiosensitizers work in various different ways, including, but not limited to, making cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy, working in synergy with radiation therapy to provide an improved synergistic effect, acting additively with radiation therapy, or protecting surrounding healthy cells from damage caused by radiation therapy. Likewise chemosensitizers are agents that can be used in combination with chemotherapy. Similarly, chemosensitizers work in various different ways, including, but not limited to, making cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy, working in synergy with chemotherapy to provide an improved synergistic effect, acting additively to chemotherapy, or protecting surrounding healthy cells from damage caused by chemotherapy.

Examples of DNA-damaging agents that may be used in combination with compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to Platinating agents, such as Carboplatin, Nedaplatin, Satraplatin and other derivatives; Topo I inhibitors, such as Topotecan, irinotecan/SN38, rubitecan and other derivatives; Antimetabolites, such as Folic family (Methotrexate, Pemetrexed and relatives); Purine antagonists and Pyrimidine antagonists (Thioguanine, Fludarabine, Cladribine, Cytarabine, Gemcitabine, 6-Mercaptopurine, 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and relatives); Alkylating agents, such as Nitrogen mustards (Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Chlorambucil, mechlorethamine, Ifosfamide and relatives); nitrosoureas (eg Carmustine); Triazenes (Dacarbazine, temozolomide); Alkyl sulphonates (eg Busulfan); Procarbazine and Aziridines; Antibiotics, such as Hydroxyurea, Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and other derivatives); Anthracenediones (Mitoxantrone and relatives); Streptomyces family (Bleomycin, Mitomycin C, actinomycin); and Ultraviolet light.

Other therapies or anticancer agents that may be used in combination with the inventive agents of the present invention include surgery, radiotherapy (in but a few examples, gamma-radiation, neutron beam radiotherapy, electron beam radiotherapy, proton therapy, brachytherapy, and systemic radioactive isotopes, to name a few), endocrine therapy, biologic response modifiers (interferons, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to name a few), hyperthermia and cryotherapy, agents to attenuate any adverse effects (e.g., antiemetics), and other approved chemotherapeutic drugs, including, but not limited to, the DNA damaging agents listed herein, spindle poisons (Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Paclitaxel), podophyllotoxins (Etoposide, Irinotecan, Topotecan), nitrosoureas (Carmustine, Lomustine), inorganic ions (Cisplatin, Carboplatin), enzymes (Asparaginase), and hormones (Tamoxifen, Leuprolide, Flutamide, and Megestrol), Gleevec™, adriamycin, dexamethasone, and cyclophosphamide.

A compound of the instant invention may also be useful for treating cancer in combination with any of the following therapeutic agents: abarelix (Plenaxis Depot®); aldesleukin (Prokine®); Aldesleukin (Proleukin®); Alemtuzumabb (Campath®); alitretinoin (Panretin®); allopurinol (Zyloprim®); altretamine (Hexylen®); amifostine (Ethyol®); anastrozole (Arimidex®); arsenic trioxide (Trisenox®); asparaginase (Elspar®); azacitidine (Vidaza®); bevacuzimab (Avastin®); bexarotene capsules (Targretin®); bexarotene gel (Targretin®); bleomycin (Blenoxane®); bortezomib (Velcade®); busulfan intravenous (Busulfex®); busulfan oral (Myleran®); calusterone (Methosarb®); capecitabine (Xeloda®); carboplatin (Paraplatin®); carmustine (BCNU®, BiCNU®); carmustine (Gliadel®); carmustine with Polifeprosan 20 Implant (Gliadel Wafer®); celecoxib (Celebrex®); cetuximab (Erbitux®); chlorambucil (Leukeran®); cisplatin (Platinol®); cladribine (Leustatin® 2-CdA®); clofarabine (Clolar®); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan Injection®); cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan Tablet®); cytarabine (Cytosar-U®); cytarabine liposomal (DepoCyt®); dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome®); dactinomycin, actinomycin D (Cosmegen®); Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®); daunorubicin liposomal (DanuoXome®); daunorubicin, daunomycin (Daunorubicin®); daunorubicin, daunomycin (Cerubidine®); Denileukin diftitox (Ontak®); dexrazoxane (Zinecard®); docetaxel (Taxotere®); doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS®); doxorubicin (Adriamycin®, Rubex®); doxorubicin (Adriamycin PFS Injection®); doxorubicin liposomal (Doxil®); dromostanolone propionate (Dromostanolone®); dromostanolone propionate (Masterone Injection®); Elliott's B Solution (Elliott's B Solution®); epirubicin (Ellence®); Epoetin alfa (Epogen®); erlotinib (Tarceva®); estramustine (Emcyt®); etoposide phosphate (Etopophos®); etoposide, VP-16 (Vepesid®); exemestane (Aromasin®); Filgrastim (Neupogen®); floxuridine (intraarterial) (FUDR®); fludarabine (Fludara®); fluorouracil, 5-FU (Adrucil®); fulvestrant (Faslodex®); gefitinib (Iressa®); gemcitabine (Gemzar®); gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®); goserelin acetate (Zoladex Implant®); goserelin acetate (Zoladex®); histrelin acetate (Histrelin Implant®); hydroxyurea (Hydrea®); Ibritumomab Tiuxetan (Zevalin®); idarubicin (Idamycin®); ifosfamide (IFEX®); imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®); interferon alfa 2a (Roferon A®); Interferon alfa-2b (Intron A®); irinotecan (Camptosar®); lenalidomide (Revlimid®); letrozole (Femara®); leucovorin (Wellcovorin®, Leucovorin®); Leuprolide Acetate (Eligard®); levamisole (Ergamisol®); lomustine, CCNU (CeeBU®); meclorethamine, nitrogen mustard (Mustargen®); megestrol acetate (Megace®); melphalan, L-PAM (Alkeran®); mercaptopurine, 6-MP (Purinethol®); mesna (Mesnex®); mesna (Mesnex Tabs®); methotrexate (Methotrexate®); methoxsalen (Uvadex®); mitomycin C (Mutamycin®); mitotane (Lysodren®); mitoxantrone (Novantrone®); nandrolone phenpropionate (Durabolin-50®); nelarabine (Arranon®); Nofetumomab (Verluma®); Oprelvekin (Neumega®); oxaliplatin (Eloxatin®); paclitaxel (Paxene®); paclitaxel (Taxol®); paclitaxel protein-bound particles (Abraxane®); palifermin (Kepivance®); pamidronate (Aredia®); pegademase (Adagen (Pegademase Bovine)®); pegaspargase (Oncaspar®); Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®); pemetrexed disodium (Alimta®); pentostatin (Nipent®); pipobroman (Vercyte®); plicamycin, mithramycin (Mithracin®); porfimer sodium (Photofrin®); procarbazine (Matulane®); quinacrine (Atabrine®); Rasburicase (Elitek®); Rituximab (Rituxan®); sargramostim (Leukine®); Sargramostim (Prokine®); sorafenib (Nexavar®); streptozocin (Zanosar®); sunitinib maleate (Sutent®); talc (Sclerosol®); tamoxifen (Nolvadex®); temozolomide (Temodar®); teniposide, VM-26 (Vumon®); testolactone (Teslac®); thioguanine, 6-TG (Thioguanine®); thiotepa (Thioplex®); topotecan (Hycamtin®); toremifene (Fareston®); Tositumomab (Bexxar®); Tositumomab/1-131 tositumomab (Bexxar®); Trastuzumab (Herceptin®); tretinoin, ATRA (Vesanoid®); Uracil Mustard (Uracil Mustard Capsules®); valrubicin (Valstar®); vinblastine (Velban®); vincristine (Oncovin®); vinorelbine (Navelbine®); zoledronate (Zometa®); and vorinostat (Zolinza®).

For a comprehensive discussion of updated cancer therapies see, http://www.nci.nih.gov/, a list of the FDA approved oncology drugs at http://www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/druglistframe.htm, and The Merck Manual, Seventeenth Ed. 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Compositions for Administration into a Subject The ATR kinase inhibitors or pharmaceutical salts thereof may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for administration to animals or humans. These pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise an amount of the ATR inhibitor effective to treat or prevent the diseases or conditions described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are another embodiment of the present invention.

The exact amount of compound required for treatment will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the infection, the particular agent, its mode of administration, and the like. The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The expression “dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physically discrete unit of agent appropriate for the patient to be treated. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific effective dose level for any particular patient or organism will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed, and like factors well known in the medical arts. The term “patient”, as used herein, means an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably a human.

In some embodiments, these compositions optionally further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents. For example, chemotherapeutic agents or other anti-proliferative agents may be combined with the compounds of this invention to treat proliferative diseases and cancer. Examples of known agents with which these compositions can be combined are listed above under the “Combination Therapies” section and also throughout the specification. Some embodiments provide a simultaneous, separate or sequential use of a combined preparation.

Modes of Administration and Dosage Forms

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention may be administered orally or parenterally at dosage levels of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg and preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a compound of the present invention, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the compound from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the compound then depends upon its rate of dissolution that, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered compound form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the compound in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the compound in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of compound to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of compound release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the compound in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in microencapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such a magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, eardrops, and eye drops are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

The compositions of the present invention may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir. The term “parenteral” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intra-synovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intrahepatic, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques. Preferably, the compositions are administered orally, intraperitoneally or intravenously.

Sterile injectable forms of the compositions of this invention may be aqueous or oleaginous suspension. These suspensions may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant, such as carboxymethyl cellulose or similar dispersing agents which are commonly used in the formulation of pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms including emulsions and suspensions. Other commonly used surfactants, such as Tweens, Spans and other emulsifying agents or bioavailability enhancers which are commonly used in the manufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or other dosage forms may also be used for the purposes of formulation.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions or solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers commonly used include, but are not limited to, lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When aqueous suspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening, flavoring or coloring agents may also be added.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. These can be prepared by mixing the agent with a suitable non-irritating excipient that is solid at room temperature but liquid at rectal temperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials include, but are not limited to, cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered topically, especially when the target of treatment includes areas or organs readily accessible by topical application, including diseases of the eye, the skin, or the lower intestinal tract. Suitable topical formulations are readily prepared for each of these areas or organs.

Topical application for the lower intestinal tract can be effected in a rectal suppository formulation (see above) or in a suitable enema formulation. Topically-transdermal patches may also be used.

For topical applications, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in a suitable ointment containing the active component suspended or dissolved in one or more carriers. Carriers for topical administration of the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated in a suitable lotion or cream containing the active components suspended or dissolved in one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water.

For ophthalmic use, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated as micronized suspensions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, or, preferably, as solutions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, either with or without a preservative such as benzylalkonium chloride. Alternatively, for ophthalmic uses, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in an ointment such as petrolatum.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizing or dispersing agents.

The amount of protein kinase inhibitor that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated, the particular mode of administration. Preferably, the compositions should be formulated so that a dosage of between 0.01-100 mg/kg body weight/day of the inhibitor can be administered to a patient receiving these compositions.

It should also be understood that a specific dosage and treatment regimen for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and the judgment of the treating physician and the severity of the particular disease being treated. The amount of inhibitor will also depend upon the particular compound in the composition.

Administering with Another Agent

Depending upon the particular protein kinase-mediated conditions to be treated or prevented, additional drugs, which are normally administered to treat or prevent that condition, may be administered together with the compounds of this invention.

Those additional agents may be administered separately, as part of a multiple dosage regimen, from the protein kinase inhibitor-containing compound or composition. Alternatively, those agents may be part of a single dosage form, mixed together with the protein kinase inhibitor in a single composition.

Another aspect of this invention is directed towards a method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising the sequential or co-administration of a compound of this invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an anti-cancer agent. In some embodiments, said anti-cancer agent is selected from Platinating agents, such as Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin, Carboplatin, Nedaplatin, or Satraplatin and other derivatives; Topo I inhibitors, such as Camptothecin, Topotecan, irinotecan/SN38, rubitecan and other derivatives; Antimetabolites, such as Folic family (Methotrexate, Pemetrexed and relatives); Purine family (Thioguanine, Fludarabine, Cladribine, 6-Mercaptopurine and relatives); Pyrimidine family (Cytarabine, Gemcitabine, 5-Fluorouracil and relatives); Alkylating agents, such as Nitrogen mustards (Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Chlorambucil, mechlorethamine, Ifosfamide, and relatives); nitrosoureas (e.g. Carmustine); Triazenes (Dacarbazine, temozolomide); Alkyl sulphonates (e.g. Busulfan); Procarbazine and Aziridines; Antibiotics, such as Hydroxyurea; Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and other derivatives); Anthracenediones (Mitoxantrone and relatives); Streptomyces family (Bleomycin, Mitomycin C, actinomycin) and Ultraviolet light.

Another embodiment provides administering a compound of this invention with an additional therapeutic agent that inhibits or modulates a base excision repair protein. In some embodiments, the base excision repair protein is selected from UNG, SMUG1, MBD4, TDG, OGG1, MYH, NTH1, MPG, NEIL1, NEIL2, NEIL3 (DNA glycosylases); APE1, APEX2 (AP endonucleases); LIG1, LIG3 (DNA ligases I and III); XRCC1 (LIG3 accessory); PNK, PNKP (polynucleotide kinase and phosphatase); PARP1, PARP2 (Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases); PolB, PolG (polymerases); FEN1 (endonuclease) or Aprataxin. In other embodiments, the base excision repair protein is selected from PARP1, PARP2, or PolB. In yet other embodiments, the base excision repair protein is selected from PARP1 or PARP2. In some embodiments, the agent is selected from Olaparib (also known as AZD2281 or KU-0059436), Iniparib (also known as BSI-201 or SAR240550), Veliparib (also known as ABT-888), Rucaparib (also known as PF-01367338), CEP-9722, INO-1001, MK-4827, E7016, BMN673, or AZD2461.

Biological Samples

As inhibitors of ATR kinase, the compounds and compositions of this invention are also useful in biological samples. One aspect of the invention relates to inhibiting ATR kinase activity in a biological sample, which method comprises contacting said biological sample with a compound described herein or a composition comprising said compound. The term “biological sample”, as used herein, means an in vitro or an ex vivo sample, including, without limitation, cell cultures or extracts thereof; biopsied material obtained from a mammal or extracts thereof; and blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen, tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof. The term “compounds described herein” includes compounds of formula I.

Inhibition of ATR kinase activity in a biological sample is useful for a variety of purposes that are known to one of skill in the art. Examples of such purposes include, but are not limited to, blood transfusion, organ-transplantation, and biological specimen storage.

Study of Protein Kinases

Another aspect of this invention relates to the study of protein kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such protein kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new protein kinase inhibitors. Examples of such uses include, but are not limited to, biological assays such as enzyme assays and cell-based assays.

The activity of the compounds as protein kinase inhibitors may be assayed in vitro, in vivo or in a cell line. In vitro assays include assays that determine inhibition of either the kinase activity or ATPase activity of the activated kinase. Alternate in vitro assays quantitate the ability of the inhibitor to bind to the protein kinase and may be measured either by radiolabelling the inhibitor prior to binding, isolating the inhibitor/kinase complex and determining the amount of radiolabel bound, or by running a competition experiment where new inhibitors are incubated with the kinase bound to known radioligands. Detailed conditions for assaying a compound utilized in this invention as an inhibitor of ATR is set forth in the Examples below.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for modulating enzyme activity by contacting a compound described herein with ATR kinase.

Methods of Treatment

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where ATR kinase is implicated in the disease state. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of an ATR kinase disease, condition, or disorder where inhibition of enzymatic activity is implicated in the treatment of the disease. In another aspect, this invention provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder with compounds that inhibit enzymatic activity by binding to the ATR kinase. Another aspect provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of a kinase disease, condition, or disorder by inhibiting enzymatic activity of ATR kinase with an ATR kinase inhibitor.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method of inhibiting ATR kinase activity in a patient, which method comprises administering to the patient a compound described herein, or a composition comprising said compound. In some embodiments, said method is used to treat or prevent a condition selected from proliferative and hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer.

Another aspect of this invention provides a method for treating, preventing, or lessening the severity of proliferative or hyperproliferative diseases comprising administering an effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound, to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, said subject is a patient. The term “patient”, as used herein, means an animal, preferably a human.

In some embodiments, said method is used to treat or prevent cancer. In some embodiments, said method is used to treat or prevent a type of cancer with solid tumors. In yet another embodiment, said cancer is selected from the following cancers: Oral: buccal cavity, lip, tongue, mouth, pharynx; Cardiac: sarcoma (angiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma), myxoma, rhabdomyoma, fibroma, lipoma and teratoma; Lung: bronchogenic carcinoma (squamous cell or epidermoid, undifferentiated small cell, undifferentiated large cell, adenocarcinoma), alveolar (bronchiolar) carcinoma, bronchial adenoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, chondromatous hamartoma, mesothelioma; Gastrointestinal: esophagus (squamous cell carcinoma, larynx, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma), stomach (carcinoma, lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma), pancreas (ductal adenocarcinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid tumors, vipoma), small bowel or small intestines (adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, Karposi's sarcoma, leiomyoma, hemangioma, lipoma, neurofibroma, fibroma), large bowel or large intestines (adenocarcinoma, tubular adenoma, villous adenoma, hamartoma, leiomyoma), colon, colon-rectum, colorectal; rectum, Genitourinary tract: kidney (adenocarcinoma, Wilm's tumor [nephroblastoma], lymphoma), bladder and urethra (squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma), prostate (adenocarcinoma, sarcoma), testis (seminoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, sarcoma, interstitial cell carcinoma, fibroma, fibroadenoma, adenomatoid tumors, lipoma); Liver: hepatoma (hepatocellular carcinoma), cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, angiosarcoma, hepatocellular adenoma, hemangioma, biliary passages; Bone: osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma), fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, malignant lymphoma (reticulum cell sarcoma), multiple myeloma, malignant giant cell tumor chordoma, osteochronfroma (osteocartilaginous exostoses), benign chondroma, chondroblastoma, chondromyxofibroma, osteoid osteoma and giant cell tumors; Nervous system: skull (osteoma, hemangioma, granuloma, xanthoma, osteitis deformans), meninges (meningioma, meningiosarcoma, gliomatosis), brain (astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, glioma, ependymoma, germinoma [pinealoma], glioblastoma multiform, oligodendroglioma, schwannoma, retinoblastoma, congenital tumors), spinal cord neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, sarcoma); Gynecological: uterus (endometrial carcinoma), cervix (cervical carcinoma, pre-tumor cervical dysplasia), ovaries (ovarian carcinoma [serous cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, unclassified carcinoma], granulosa-thecal cell tumors, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, dysgerminoma, malignant teratoma), vulva (squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma), vagina (clear cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, botryoid sarcoma (embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma), fallopian tubes (carcinoma), breast; Skin: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Karposi's sarcoma, keratoacanthoma, moles dysplastic nevi, lipoma, angioma, dermatofibroma, keloids, psoriasis, Thyroid gland: papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma; medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B, familial medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma; and Adrenal glands: neuroblastoma.

In some embodiments, the cancer is selected from the cancers described herein. In some embodiments, said cancer is lung cancer, head and neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, or brain cancer. In other embodiments, the cancer is selected from a cancer of the lung or the pancreas.

In yet other embodiments, the cancer is selected from non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, biliary tract cancer, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, or ovarian cancer.

In certain embodiments, an “effective amount” of the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable composition is that amount effective in order to treat said disease. The compounds and compositions, according to the method of the present invention, may be administered using any amount and any route of administration effective for treating or lessening the severity of said disease.

One aspect provides a method for inhibiting ATR in a patient comprising administering a compound described herein as described herein. Another embodiment provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering to a patient a compound described herein, wherein the variables are as defined herein.

Some embodiments comprising administering to said patient an additional therapeutic agent selected from a DNA-damaging agent; wherein said additional therapeutic agent is appropriate for the disease being treated; and said additional therapeutic agent is administered together with said compound as a single dosage form or separately from said compound as part of a multiple dosage form.

In some embodiments, said DNA-damaging agent is selected from ionizing radiation, radiomimetic neocarzinostatin, a platinating agent, a Topo I inhibitor, a Topo II inhibitor, an antimetabolite, an alkylating agent, an alkyl sulphonates, an antimetabolite, or an antibiotic. In other embodiments, said DNA-damaging agent is selected from ionizing radiation, a platinating agent, a Topo I inhibitor, a Topo II inhibitor, or an antibiotic.

Examples of Platinating agents include Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin, Carboplatin, Nedaplatin, Satraplatin and other derivatives. Other platinating agents include Lobaplatin, and Triplatin. Other platinating agents include Tetranitrate, Picoplatin, Satraplatin, ProLindac and Aroplatin.

Examples of Topo I inhibitor include Camptothecin, Topotecan, irinotecan/SN38, rubitecan and other derivatives. Other Topo I inhibitors include Belotecan.

Examples of Topo II inhibitors include Etoposide, Daunorubicin, Doxorubicin, Aclarubicin, Epirubicin, Idarubicin, Amrubicin, Pirarubicin, Valrubicin, Zorubicin and Teniposide.

Examples of Antimetabolites include members of the Folic family, Purine family (purine antagonists), or Pyrimidine family (pyrimidine antagonists). Examples of the Folic family include methotrexate, pemetrexed and relatives; examples of the Purine family include Thioguanine, Fludarabine, Cladribine, 6-Mercaptopurine, and relatives; examples of the Pyrimidine family include Cytarabine, gemcitabine, 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and relatives.

Some other specific examples of antimetabolites include Aminopterin, Methotrexate, Pemetrexed, Raltitrexed, Pentostatin, Cladribine, Clofarabine, Fludarabine, Thioguanine, Mercaptopurine, Fluorouracil, Capecitabine, Tegafur, Carmofur, Floxuridine, Cytarabine, Gemcitabine, Azacitidine and Hydroxyurea.

Examples of alkylating agents include Nitrogen mustards, Triazenes, alkyl sulphonates, Procarbazine and Aziridines. Examples of Nitrogen mustards include Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Chlorambucil and relatives; examples of nitrosoureas include Carmustine; examples of triazenes include Dacarbazine and temozolomide; examples of alkyl sulphonates include Busulfan.

Other specific examples of alkylating agents include Mechlorethamine, Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide, Trofosfamide, Chlorambucil, Melphalan, Prednimustine, Bendamustine, Uramustine, Estramustine, Carmustine, Lomustine, Semustine, Fotemustine, Nimustine, Ranimustine, Streptozocin, Busulfan, Mannosulfan, Treosulfan, Carboquone, ThioTEPA, Triaziquone, Triethylenemelamine, Procarbazine, Dacarbazine, Temozolomide, Altretamine, Mitobronitol, Actinomycin, Bleomycin, Mitomycin and Plicamycin.

Examples of antibiotics include Mitomycin, Hydroxyurea; Anthracyclines, Anthracenediones, Streptomyces family. Examples of Anthracyclines include doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and other derivatives; examples of Anthracenediones include Mitoxantrone and relatives; examples of Streptomyces family inclue Bleomycin, Mitomycin C, and actinomycin.

In certain embodiments, said platinating agent is Cisplatin or Oxaliplatin; said Topo I inhibitor is Camptothecin; said Topo II inhibitor is Etoposide; and said antibiotic is Mitomycin. In other embodiments, said platinating agent is selected from Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin, Carboplatin, Nedaplatin, or Satraplatin; said Topo I inhibitor is selected from Camptothecin, Topotecan, irinotecan/SN38, rubitecan; said Topo II inhibitor is selected from Etoposide; said antimetabolite is selected from a member of the Folic Family, the Purine Family, or the Pyrimidine Family; said alkylating agent is selected from nitrogen mustards, nitrosoureas, triazenes, alkyl sulfonates, Procarbazine, or aziridines; and said antibiotic is selected from Hydroxyurea, Anthracyclines, Anthracenediones, or Streptomyces family.

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is ionizing radiation. In other embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is Cisplatin or Carboplatin. In yet other embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is Etoposide. In yet other embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is Temozolomide.

In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is selected from one or more of the following: Cisplatin, Carboplatin, gemcitabine, Etoposide, Temozolomide, or ionizing radiation.

Another embodiment provides methods for treating pancreatic cancer by administering a compound described herein in combination with another known pancreatic cancer treatment. One aspect of the invention includes administering a compound described herein in combination with gemcitabine. In some embodiments, the pancreatic cancer comprises one of the following cell lines: PSN-1, MiaPaCa-2 or Panc-1. According to another aspect, the cancer comprises one of the following primary tumor lines: Panc-M or MRCS.

Another aspect of the invention includes administering a compound described herein in combination with radiation therapy. Yet another aspect provides a method of abolishing radiation-induced G2/M checkpoint by administering a compound described herein in combination with radiation treatment.

Another aspect provides a method of treating pancreatic cancer by administering to pancreatic cancer cells a compound described herein in combination with one or more cancer therapies. In some embodiments, the compound is combined with chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. As would be understood by one of skill in the art, chemoradiation refers to a treatment regime that includes both chemotherapy (such as gemcitabine) and radiation. In some embodiments, the chemotherapy is gemcitabine.

Yet another aspect provides a method of increasing the sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to a cancer therapy selected from gemcitabine or radiation therapy by administering a compound described herein in combination with the cancer therapy.

In some embodiments, the cancer therapy is gemcitabine. In other embodiments, the cancer therapy is radiation therapy. In yet another embodiment the cancer therapy is chemoradiation.

Another aspect provides a method of inhibiting phosphorylation of Chk1 (Ser 345) in a pancreatic cancer cell comprising administering a compound described herein after treatment with gemcitabine (100 nM) and/or radiation (6 Gy) to a pancreatic cancer cell.

Another aspect provides method of radiosensitizing hypoxic PSN-1, MiaPaCa-2 or PancM tumor cells by administering a compound described herein to the tumor cell in combination with radiation therapy.

Yet another aspect provides a method of sensitizing hypoxic PSN-1, MiaPaCa-2 or PancM tumor cells by administering a compound described herein to the tumor cell in combination with gemcitabine.

Another aspect provides a method of sensitizing PSN-1 and MiaPaCa-2 tumor cells to chemoradiation by administering a compound described herein to the tumor cells in combination with chemoradiation.

Another aspect provides a method of disrupting damage-induced cell cycle checkpoints by administering a compound described herein in combination with radiation therapy to a pancreatic cancer cell.

Another aspect provides a method of inhibiting repair of DNA damage by homologous recombination in a pancreatic cancer cell by administering a compound described herein in combination with one or more of the following treatments: chemoradiation, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

In some embodiments, the chemotherapy is gemcitabine.

Another aspect provides a method of inhibiting repair of DNA damage by homologous recombination in a pancreatic cancer cell by administering a compound described herein in combination with gemcitabine and radiation therapy.

In some embodiments, the pancreatic cancer cells are derived from a pancreatic cell line selected from PSN-1, MiaPaCa-2 or Panc-1.

In other embodiments, the pancreatic cancer cells are in a cancer patient.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating non-small cell lung cancer comprising administering to a patient a compound described herein in combination with one or more of the following additional therapeutic agents: Cisplatin or Carboplatin, Etoposide, and ionizing radiation. Some embodiments comprise administering to a patient a compound described herein in combination with Cisplatin or Carboplatin, Etoposide, and ionizing radiation. In some embodiments the combination is Cisplatin, Etoposide, and ionizing radiation. In other embodiments the combination is Carboplatin, Etoposide, and ionizing radiation.

Another embodiment provides a method of promoting cell death in cancer cells comprising administering to a patient a compound described herein, or a composition comprising said compound.

Yet another embodiment provides a method of preventing cell repair of DNA damage in cancer cells comprising administering to a patient a compound described herein, or a composition comprising said compound. Yet another embodiment provides a method of preventing cell repair caused by DNA damage in cancer cells comprising administering to a patient a compound of formula I, or composition comprising said compound.

Another embodiment provides a method of sensitizing cells to DNA damaging agents comprising administering to a patient a compound described herein, or a composition comprising said compound.

In some embodiments, the method is used on a cancer cell having defects in the ATM signaling cascade. In some embodiments, said defect is altered expression or activity of one or more of the following: ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, H2AX, MCPH1/BRIT1, CTIP, or SMC1. In other embodiments, said defect is altered expression or activity of one or more of the following: ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1 or H2AX.

According to another embodiment, the method is used on a cancer, cancer cell, or cell expressing DNA damaging oncogenes. In another embodiment, the cell is a cancer cell expressing DNA damaging oncogenes. In some embodiments, said cancer cell has altered expression or activity of one or more of the following: K-Ras, N-Ras, H-Ras, Raf, Myc, Mos, E2F, Cdc25A, CDC4, CDK2, Cyclin E, Cyclin A and Rb.

According to another embodiment, the method is used on a cancer, cancer cell, or cell has a defect in a protein involved in base excision repair (“base excision repair protein”). There are many methods known in the art for determining whether a tumor has a defect in base excision repair. For example, sequencing of either the genomic DNA or mRNA products of each base excision repair gene (e.g., UNG, PARP1, or LIG1) can be performed on a sample of the tumor to establish whether mutations expected to modulate the function or expression of the gene product are present (Wang et al., Cancer Research 52:4824 (1992)). In addition to the mutational inactivation, tumor cells can modulate a DNA repair gene by hypermethylating its promoter region, leading to reduced gene expression. This is most commonly assessed using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quantify methylation levels on the promoters of base excision repair genes of interest. Analysis of base excision repair gene promoter methylation is available commercially (http://www.sabiosciences.com/dnamethylationproduct/HTML/MEAH-421A.html).

Finally, the expression levels of base excision repair genes can be assessed by directly quantifying levels of the mRNA and protein products of each gene using standard techniques such as quantitative reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunhohistochemistry (IHC), respectively (Shinmura et al., Carcinogenesis 25: 2311 (2004); Shinmura et al., Journal of Pathology 225:414 (2011)).

In some embodiments, the base excision repair protein is UNG, SMUG1, MBD4, TDG, OGG1, MYH, NTH1, MPG, NEIL1, NEIL2, NEIL3 (DNA glycosylases); APE1, APEX2 (AP endonucleases); LIG1, LIG3 (DNA ligases I and III); XRCC1 (LIG3 accessory); PNK, PNKP (polynucleotide kinase and phosphatase); PARP1, PARP2 (Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases); PolB, PolG (polymerases); FEN1 (endonuclease) or Aprataxin.

In some embodiments, the base excision repair protein is PARP1, PARP2, or PolB. In other embodiments, the base excision repair protein is PARP1 or PARP2.

The methods described above (gene sequence, promoter methylation and mRNA expression) may also be used to characterize the status (e.g., expression or mutation) of other genes or proteins of interesting, such DNA-damaging oncogenes expressed by a tumor or defects in the ATM signaling cascade of a cell.

Yet another embodiment provides use of a compound described herein as a radio-sensitizer or a chemo-sensitizer.

Yet other embodiment provides use of a compound of formula I as a single agent (monotherapy) for treating cancer. In some embodiments, the compounds of formula I are used for treating patients having cancer with a DNA-damage response (DDR) defect. In other embodiments, said defect is a mutation or loss of ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, or H2AX.

Compounds and Compositions for Use

One embodiment provides a compound or composition as described herein for use as a radio-sensitizer or a chemo-sensitizer. Another embodiment provides a compound or composition as described herein for use as a single agent (monotherapy) for treating cancer.

Another embodiment provides a compound or composition as described herein for treating patients having cancer with a DNA-damage response (DDR) defect. In some embodiments, said defect is a mutation or loss of ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, or H2AX. In other embodiments, said defect is a mutation or loss of ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, H2AX, MCPH1/BRIT1, CTIP, or SMC1.

Another embodiment provides compounds or compositions described herein for treating cancer. In some embodiments, the compound or composition is further combined with an additional therapeutic agent described herein. In some embodiments, the compound or composition is further combined with a DNA damaging agent described herein.

In some embodiments, the cancer has a defect in a pathway described herein.

Manufacture of Medicaments

One embodiment provides the use of a compound or composition described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for use as a radio-sensitizer or a chemo-sensitizer. Another embodiment provides the use of a compound or composition described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the manufacture of a medicament for use as a single agent (monotherapy) for treating cancer.

Yet another embodiment provides the use of a compound or composition described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the manufacture of a medicament for treating patients having cancer with a DNA-damage response (DDR) defect.

In some embodiments, said defect is a mutation or loss of ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, or H2AX. In other embodiments, said defect is a mutation or loss of ATM, p53, CHK2, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1, 53BP1, MDC1, H2AX, MCPH1/BRIT1, CTIP, or SMC1.

Another embodiment provides the use of a compound or composition described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for treating cancer. In some embodiments, the compound or composition is combined with an additional therapeutic agent, such as a DNA damaging agent, described herein. In another embodiment, the cancer has a defect in a pathway described herein.

SCHEMES AND EXAMPLES

The compounds of the disclosure may be prepared in light of the specification using steps generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Those compounds may be analyzed by known methods, including but not limited to LCMS (liquid chromatography mass spectrometry) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). The following generic schemes and examples illustrate how to prepare the compounds of the present disclosure. The examples are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. ¹H-NMR spectra were recorded at 400 MHz using a Bruker DPX 400 instrument. Mass spec. samples were analyzed on a MicroMass Quattro Micro mass spectrometer operated in single MS mode with electrospray ionization.

Coupling of the terminal acetylene of intermediate A-i, the synthesis of which is described in Scheme B, with an appropriate acid chloride, provides the desired intermediate of Formula A-ii. Intermediates of Formula A-ii may then be reacted with hydrazine to form the desired pyrazole intermediate of formula A-iii. Intermediates of Formula A-iii may then be reacted under various conditions, including but not limited to Suzuki coupling of A-iiii with an appropriate boronic acid/ester to provide compounds of Formula A-iv. In a slightly different sequence, coupling of the terminal acetylene of intermediate A-v, the synthesis of which is described in Scheme B, with an appropriate acid chloride, provides the desired intermediate of Formula A-vi. Intermediates of Formula A-vi may then be reacted with hydrazine to form the desired pyrazole intermediate of formula A-iv. Removal of the amine protecting group(s) PG from compounds of Formula A-iii takes place under standard conditions known to those skilled in the art such as, but not limited to, treatment with HCl or TFA (in case of a Boc protecting group) to provide compounds of Formula I.

Preparation 1 Synthesis of 3-(3-amino-6-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)pyrazin-2-yl)-1-phenylprop-2-yn-1-one

Step 1. tert-butyl N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-[3-ethynyl-5-(4-isopropylsulfonylphenyl)pyrazin-2-yl]carbamate (200 mg, 0.3987 mmol), benzoyl chloride (56.04 mg, 46.28 μL, 0.3987 mmol), TEA (44.38 mg, 61.13 μL, 0.4386 mmol) was added to a solution of dichloropalladium; triphenylphosphane (27.98 mg, 0.03987 mmol) and CuI (15.19 mg, 0.07974 mmol) in degassed THF (4 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between DCM and NaHCO₃ aq sat. The combined organic extract was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo yielding an oil that was dissolved in DCM (10 mL). TFA (1 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 min. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo to provide the sub-titled product which was used in the next reaction without further purification. LC/MS m/z 406.1 [M+H]⁺.

Example 1 Synthesis of 5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyrazin-2-amine Compound I-1

To a solution of 3-[3-amino-6-(4-isopropylsulfonylphenyl)pyrazin-2-yl]-1-phenyl-prop-2-yn-1-one (Trifluoroacetic Acid (1)) (129.6 mg, 0.3196 mmol) in EtOH (4 mL) was added NH₂NH₂ (Water (1)) (160 mg, 3.196 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between DCM (10 ml) and saturated NaHCO₃. The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (20 ml) and the combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo yielding an oil that was purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC [Waters Sunfire C18, 10 mM, 100 Å column, gradient 10%-95% B (solvent A: 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid in water; solvent B: acetonitrile) over 16 minutes at 25 mL/minutes], combined fractions were freeze-dried to give 5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyrazin-2-amine Compound I-1 (15 mg, 9%). ¹H NMR (400.0 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.78 (bs, 1H), 8.77 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.02-7.83 (m, 4H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.53 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.46 (p, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.20 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); LC/MS m/z 420.0 [M+H]⁺.

Commercially available 2-amino-2,5-dibromo pyrazine B-i undergoes a Sonagashira coupling with TMS-acetylene to give intermediate Bii, the amino group of which can be fully protected as the diBOC species B-iii. A Suzuki coupling with the remaining bromo handle with concommitent TMS deprotection affords intermediate B-iv. Experimental details have be described in patent WO2010071837.

Intermediates of Formula C-i may then be reacted under various conditions, including but not limited to Suzuki coupling of C-i with an appropriate boronic acid/ester to provide compounds of Formula C-ii. Intermediates of Formula C-ii may then be brominated to provide compounds of Formula C-iii. Intermediates of Formula C-iii may then be reacted under various conditions, including but not limited to Suzuki coupling of C-iii with an appropriate oxazole to provide compounds of Formula I. In a slightly different sequence intermediates of Formula C-iv may then be brominated to provide compounds of Formula C-v. Intermediates of Formula C-v may then be reacted under various conditions, including but not limited to Suzuki coupling of C-iii with an appropriate oxazole to provide compounds of Formula C-vi. Intermediates of Formula C-vi may then be reacted under various conditions, including but not limited to Suzuki coupling of C-vi with an appropriate boronic acid/ester to provide compounds of Formula I.

Preparation 2. Synthesis of 3-bromo-5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)pyrazin-2-amine

Step 1. A solution of 5-bromopyrazin-2-amine (4.53 g, 26.03 mmol), (4-isopropylsulfonylphenyl)boronic acid (7.125 g, 31.24 mmol) and K₃PO₄ (11.05 g, 52.06 mmol) in MeCN (90.60 mL)/Water (22.65 mL) was degassed with nitrogen. Pd[P(tBu)₃]₂. (665.4 mg, 1.302 mmol) was added and the degassing/flushing with nitrogen repeated. The reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. for 4 hours. A further 300 mg catalyst added over the next 30 min and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 66° C. to give complete disappearance of the 5-bromopyrazine-2-amine starting material. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and diluted with ethylacetate/water. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer extracted again with ethylacetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with aq NaCl/NaHCO₃, dried over MgSO₄, then filtered through a short silica gel column washing through with ethylacetate. The eluant was concentrated in vacuo to about 40 ml volume. The product was filtered off and the product washed with ethylacetate, petrol ether to give 5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)pyrazin-2-amine a pale yellow powder (5.65 g, 78%). %). ¹H NMR (400.0 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 2H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 6.9 (s, 2H), 5.76 (s, 1H), 3.4-3.5 (m, 1H), 1.20 (d, 6H); LC/MS m/z 278.0 [M+H]⁺.

Step 2. NBS (1.926 g, 10.82 mmol) was added to a solution of 5-(4-isopropylsulfonylphenyl)pyrazin-2-amine (3 g, 10.82 mmol) in DMF at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 min and then added to a rapidly stirring water (50 ml). The precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo. The solid obtained was slurried in EtOAc, filtered off and dried in vacuo to provide 3-bromo-5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)pyrazin-2-amine used which was as such without further purification (8 g, 62%). ¹H NMR (400.0 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.80 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 2H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 7.2 (s, 2H), 3.4-3.5 (m, 1H), 1.20 (d, 6H); LC/MS m/z 358.0 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2 Synthesis of 5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2-amine Compound I-2

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-(4-isopropylsulfonylphenyl)pyrazin-2-amine (147 mg, 0.4126 mmol), 5-phenyloxazole (49.91 mg, 0.3438 mmol), palladium; triphenylphosphane (39.73 mg, 0.03438 mmol) and 2-methylpropan-2-olate (Lithium Ion (1)) (55.05 mg, 0.6876 mmol) in dioxane (2 mL) was heated in a microwave at 130 C for 1 h and a further heated in a MW 2 h at 14° C. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo, and the residue purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC [Waters Sunfire C18, mM, 100 Å column, gradient 10%-95% B (solvent A: 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid in water; solvent B: acetonitrile) over 16 minutes at 25 mL/minutes], combined fractions were freeze-dried to give 5-(4-(isopropylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2-amine Compound I-2 (11 mg, 6%). %). ¹H NMR (400.0 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.96 (s, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.94-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.56 (dd, J=8.3, 7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.51-7.42 (m, 1H), 3.47 (p, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.21 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); LC/MS m/z 421.0 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2 Cellular ATR Inhibition Assay

Compounds can be screened for their ability to inhibit intracellular ATR using an immunofluorescence microscopy assay to detect phosphorylation of the ATR substrate histone H2AX in hydroxyurea treated cells. HT29 cells are plated at 14,000 cells per well in 96-well black imaging plates (BD 353219) in McCoy's 5A media (Sigma M8403) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (JRH Biosciences 12003), Penicillin/Streptomycin solution diluted 1:100 (Sigma P7539), and 2 mM L-glumtamine (Sigma G7513), and allowed to adhere overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Compounds are then added to the cell media from a final concentration of 25 μM in 3-fold serial dilutions and the cells are incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. After 15 min, hydroxyurea (Sigma H8627) is added to a final concentration of 2 mM.

After 45 min of treatment with hydroxyurea, the cells are washed in PBS, fixed for 10 min in 4% formaldehyde diluted in PBS (Polysciences Inc 18814), washed in 0.2% Tween-20 in PBS (wash buffer), and permeabilised for 10 min in 0.5% Triton X-100 in PBS, all at room temperature. The cells are then washed once in wash buffer and blocked for 30 min at room temperature in 10% goat serum (Sigma G9023) diluted in wash buffer (block buffer). To detect H2AX phosphorylation levels, the cells are then incubated for 1 h at room temperature in primary antibody (mouse monoclonal anti-phosphorylated histone H2AX Ser139 antibody; Upstate 05-636) diluted 1:250 in block buffer. The cells are then washed five times in wash buffer before incubation for 1 h at room temperature in the dark in a mixture of secondary antibody (goat anti-mouse Alexa Fluor 488 conjugated antibody; Invitrogen A11029) and Hoechst stain (Invitrogen H3570); diluted 1:500 and 1:5000, respectively, in wash buffer. The cells are then washed five times in wash buffer and finally 100 ul PBS is added to each well before imaging.

Cells are imaged for Alexa Fluor 488 and Hoechst intensity using the BD Pathway 855 Bioimager and Attovision software (BD Biosciences, Version 1.6/855) to quantify phosphorylated H2AX Ser139 and DNA staining, respectively. The percentage of phosphorylated H2AX-positive nuclei in a montage of 9 images at 20× magnification is then calculated for each well using BD Image Data Explorer software (BD Biosciences Version 2.2.15). Phosphorylated H2AX-positive nuclei are defined as Hoechst-positive regions of interest containing Alexa Fluor 488 intensity at 1.75-fold the average Alexa Fluor 488 intensity in cells not treated with hydroxyurea. The percentage of H2AX positive nuclei is finally plotted against concentration for each compound and IC50s for intracellular ATR inhibition are determined using Prism software (GraphPad Prism version 3.0cx for Macintosh, GraphPad Software, San Diego Calif., USA).

The compounds described herein can also be tested according to other methods known in the art (see Sarkaria et al, “Inhibition of ATM and ATR Kinase Activities by the Radiosensitizing Agent, Caffeine: Cancer Research 59: 4375-5382 (1999); Hickson et al, “Identification and Characterization of a Novel and Specific Inhibitor of the Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated Kinase ATM” Cancer Research 64: 9152-9159 (2004); Kim et al, “Substrate Specificities and Identification of Putative Substrates of ATM Kinase Family Members” The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274(53): 37538-37543 (1999); and Chiang et al, “Determination of the catalytic activities of mTOR and other members of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-related kinase family” Methods Mol. Biol. 281:125-41 (2004)).

Example 3 ATR Inhibition Assay

Compounds were screened for their ability to inhibit ATR kinase using a radioactive-phosphate incorporation assay. Assays were carried out in a mixture of 50 mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.5), 10 mM MgCl₂ and 1 mM DTT. Final substrate concentrations were 10 μM [γ-33P]ATP (3 mCi 33P ATP/mmol ATP, Perkin Elmer) and 800 μM target peptide (ASELPASQPQPFSAKKK).

Assays were carried out at 25° C. in the presence of 5 nM full-length ATR. An assay stock buffer solution was prepared containing all of the reagents listed above, with the exception of ATP and the test compound of interest. 13.5 μL of the stock solution was placed in a 96 well plate followed by addition of 2 μL of DMSO stock containing serial dilutions of the test compound (typically starting from a final concentration of 15 μM with 3-fold serial dilutions) in duplicate (final DMSO concentration 7%). The plate was pre-incubated for 10 minutes at 25° C. and the reaction initiated by addition of 15 μL [γ-33P]ATP (final concentration 10 μM).

The reaction was stopped after 24 hours by the addition of 30 μL 0.1M phosphoric acid containing 2 mM ATP. A multiscreen phosphocellulose filter 96-well plate (Millipore, Cat no. MAPHNOB50) was pretreated with 100 μL 0.2M phosphoric acid prior to the addition of 450 μL of the stopped assay mixture. The plate was washed with 5×200 μL 0.2M phosphoric acid. After drying, 100 μL Optiphase ‘SuperMix’ liquid scintillation cocktail (Perkin Elmer) was added to the well prior to scintillation counting (1450 Microbeta Liquid Scintillation Counter, Wallac).

After removing mean background values for all of the data points, Ki(app) data were calculated from non-linear regression analysis of the initial rate data using the Prism software package (GraphPad Prism version 3.0cx for Macintosh, GraphPad Software, San Diego Calif., USA).

Example 4 Cisplatin Sensitization Assay

Compounds can be screened for their ability to sensitize HCT116 colorectal cancer cells to Cisplatin using a 96 h cell viability (MTS) assay. HCT116 cells, which possess a defect in ATM signaling to Cisplatin (see, Kim et al.; Oncogene 21:3864 (2002); see also, Takemura et al.; JBC 281:30814 (2006)) are plated at 470 cells per well in 96-well polystyrene plates (Costar 3596) in 150 μl of McCoy's 5A media (Sigma M8403) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (JRH Biosciences 12003), Penicillin/Streptomycin solution diluted 1:100 (Sigma P7539), and 2 mM L-glumtamine (Sigma G7513), and allowed to adhere overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Compounds and Cisplatin are then both added simultaneously to the cell media in 2-fold serial dilutions from a top final concentration of 10 μM as a full matrix of concentrations in a final cell volume of 200 μl, and the cells are then incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. After 96 h, 40 μl of MTS reagent (Promega G358a) is added to each well and the cells are incubated for 1 h at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Finally, absorbance is measured at 490 nm using a SpectraMax Plus 384 reader (Molecular Devices) and the concentration of compound required to reduce the IC50 of Cisplatin alone by at least 3-fold (to 1 decimal place) can be reported.

Example 5 Single Agent HCT116 Activity

Compounds can be screened for single agent activity against HCT116 colorectal cancer cells using a 96 h cell viability (MTS) assay. HCT116 are plated at 470 cells per well in 96-well polystyrene plates (Costar 3596) in 150 μl of McCoy's 5A media (Sigma M8403) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum (JRH Biosciences 12003), Penicillin/Streptomycin solution diluted 1:100 (Sigma P7539), and 2 mM L-glumtamine (Sigma G7513), and allowed to adhere overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Compounds are then added to the cell media in 2-fold serial dilutions from a top final concentration of 10 μM as a full matrix of concentrations in a final cell volume of 200 μl, and the cells are then incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. After 96 h, 40 μl of MTS reagent (Promega G358a) is added to each well and the cells are incubated for 1 h at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Finally, absorbance is measured at 490 nm using a SpectraMax Plus 384 reader (Molecular Devices) and IC50 values can be calculated.

Example 6 Pharmacokinetics

Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters can be analyzed using Watson Bioanalytical LIMS (Version 7.4; Thermo Fisher Scientific) from either the blood or plasma samples. The following parameters can be estimated following intravenous (IV) dosing: terminal elimination half-life (T_(1/2)=ln(2)/λz, where λz is the first order rate constant associated with the terminal (log-linear) portion of the curve); the area under the curve (AUC_(last)=area under the curve from the time of dosing to the last measurable concentration); the area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC_(0-∞)=AUC_(last)+C_(last)/λz). The clearance (Cl; Cl=Dose_(IV)/AUC_(0-∞)); the area under the first moment curve (AUMC_(last)=area under the concentration times time versus time curve from the time of dosing to the last measurable concentration); the area under the first moment curve extrapolated to infinity (AUMC_(0-∞)=AUMC_(last)+C_(last)×t/λz+C_(last)/λz²); the mean residence time (MRT=AUMC_(0-∞)/AUC_(0-∞)); and the steady state volume of distribution (Vdss=MRT×Cl).

Clearance and volume of distribution can also be obtained using methods known to one of skill in the art (see e.g., Handbook of Essential Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Drug Metabolism for Industrial Scientists, Younggil Kwon, pp 18-28 (Non-compartmental Approach)).

Compound Analytical Data LCMS ATR Cmpd LCMS (Rt inhibition No. ES + min) HNMR Ki (nM) I-1 420 0.890 (500 MHz, DMSO) ? 13.78 (bs, 2.86 1H), 8.77 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.02-7.83 (m, 4H), 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.53 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.46 (p, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.20 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6H) I-2 421 0.960 (500 MHz, DMSO) ? 8.96 (s, 4.03 1H), 8.40 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 7.97 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.94-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.56 (dd, J = 8.3, 7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.51-7.42 (m, 1H), 3.47 (p, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.21 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 6H)

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it is apparent that our basic examples may be altered to provide other embodiments that utilize the compounds, methods, and processes of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than by the specific embodiments that have been represented by way of example herein. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein Ring A is pyrazolyl or oxazolyl; Ring B is a 5-6 membered monocyclic aryl or heteroaryl ring, wherein said heteroaryl ring has 1 heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; J is halo, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄alkoxy; J¹ is —(X¹)_(u)—Y; X¹ is C₁₋₆alkyl wherein 0-2 methylene units of said C₁₋₆alkyl are replaced with NH, O, or S; X¹ is optionally substituted with 1-2 occurrences of C₁₋₃alkyl or halo; Y is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, or a 3-6 membered saturated or partially unsaturated heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; wherein the heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with 1 occurrence of halo or C₁₋₃alkyl; or J and J¹ join together to form a 5-7 heterocyclyl having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; wherein the heterocyclyl is optionally substituted with 1 occurrence of halo or C₁₋₃alkyl; Q is a 5-6 membered monocyclic aromatic ring containing 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or an 8-10 membered bicyclic aromatic ring containing 0-6 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; L is a C₁₋₄alkyl chain wherein up to two methylene units of the alkyl chain are optionally replaced with O, NR⁶, S, —C(O)—, —SO—, or —SO₂—; R¹ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl; R² is H, C₁-C₆alkyl, —(C₂-C₆alkyl)—Z or a 4-8 membered cyclic ring containing 0-2 nitrogen atoms; wherein said ring is bonded via a carbon atom and is optionally substituted with one occurrence of J^(Z); or R¹ and R², taken together with the atom to which they are bound, form a 4-8 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; wherein said heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted with one occurrence of J^(Z1); J^(Z1) is halo, CN, C₁-C₈aliphatic, —(X²)_(t)—CN, or —(X³)_(r)—Z; wherein said up to two methylene units of said C₁-C₈aliphatic can be optionally replaced with O, NR, S, P(O), C(O), S(O), or S(O)₂; wherein said C₁-C₈aliphatic is optionally substituted with halo, CN, or NO₂; R is H or C₁₋₆alkyl; each X² and X³ is C₁-C₄alkyl; Z is —NR³R⁴; R³ is H or C₁-C₂alkyl; R⁴ is H or C₁-C₆alkyl; or R³ and R⁴, taken together with the atom to which they are bound, form a 4-8 membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; wherein said ring is optionally substituted with one occurrence of J^(Z). R⁶ is H, or C₁-C₆alkyl; J^(Z) is independently NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄aliphatic, OH, O(C₁₋₄aliphatic), NO₂, CN, CO₂H, CO(C₁₋₄aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₄aliphatic), O(haloC₁₋₄aliphatic), or haloC₁₋₄aliphatic; J² is halo; CN; a 5-6 membered aromatic or nonaromatic monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; or a C₁₋₁₀aliphatic group wherein up to 2 methylene units are optionally replaced with O, NR″, C(O), S, S(O), or S(O)₂; wherein said C₁₋₁₀aliphatic group is optionally substituted with 1-3 halo or CN; and said monocyclic ring is optionally substituted with 1-3 occurrences of halo; CN; a C₃₋₆cycloalkyl; a 3-7 membered heterocyclyl containing 0-2 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur; or a C₁₋₄alkyl wherein up to one methylene unit of the alkyl chain is optionally replaced with O, NR″, or S; and wherein said C₁₋₄alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-3 halo; each p, r, t, u, m, and n is independently 0 or 1; q is 0, 1, or 2; R″ is H, C₁₋₄alkyl, or is absent; wherein said C₁₋₄alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-4 halo.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein Ring A is


3. The compound of claim 1, wherein Ring A is


4. The compound of any one of claims 1-3, wherein Q is phenyl.
 5. The compound of claim 4, wherein p is 0; q is 1; and J² is a C₁₋₄aliphatic group wherein one methylene unit is replaced with S(O)₂.
 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein J² is SO₂CH(CH₃)₂.
 7. The compound of claim 1 wherein Ring B is phenyl.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein n and m are both
 0. 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the following:


10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 